Alex Reid declares himself an ‘anti-masker’ and claims Covid can be cured by a ‘positive mindset’

Alex Reid has declared himself an ‘anti-masker’ and claims coronavirus can be cured by a ‘positive mindset’.

In an extraordinary interview with FUBAR Radio, the former mixed martial artist, 45, admitted he’s ‘not a big buyer’ on the law-enforced measure, despite scientific evidence proving that face coverings may reduce the spread of the deadly virus. 

The sportsman also accused his ex-wife Katie Price of ‘trolling’ following the breakdown of their 11-month marriage in 2011, and revealed he underwent ‘so much therapy’ to combat his suicidal thoughts.

‘It’s not good for the immune system’: Alex Reid has declared himself an ‘anti-masker’ and claims coronavirus can be cured by a ‘positive mindset’ in an interview with FUBAR Radio

Sharing his controversial thoughts about the pandemic, the former Celebrity Big Brother star told hosts Stephen Leng and Bobby Norris on Access All Areas: ‘I’m an anti-masker.

‘I’m of the opinion that the mask… isn’t good for the immune system, isn’t helping. The number one thing I think of health is what’s going on in your mind and in your heart. 

‘And if you’re sad and miserable, one of the two things that are going to stop that is communication and community. Breathing in that air the whole time is not great. I’m not buying that.’

The actor went on to insist he’s ‘confused’ by the research attached to the global crisis, sharing: ‘I’m not a big buyer on Covid. Yeah there’s something that’s killing people. And I look at the statistics. 

Controversial: The former mixed martial artist, 45, admitted he's 'not a big buyer' on the law-enforced measure (pictured with hosts Stephen Leng and Bobby Norris)

Controversial: The former mixed martial artist, 45, admitted he’s ‘not a big buyer’ on the law-enforced measure (pictured with hosts Stephen Leng and Bobby Norris)

The facts: Despite his comments, scientific evidence has proven that face coverings may reduce the spread of the deadly virus

The facts: Despite his comments, scientific evidence has proven that face coverings may reduce the spread of the deadly virus

‘I’ve been in more than 50 court hearings in the last 10 years. That’s very unfortunate. But when you’re in hearings, you’re presented with a lot of what I call b******s evidence. You can see it’s a load of rubbish, but you still have to listen to it. 

‘So with the rhetoric which the government and the main sponsors, they’re telling you, I’m like, ”Okay, all right, I’ll buy that a bit.” 

‘But then when you hear very sound intellectual, professors, not what you can say, consider as conspiracy nutters, and like you kind of listen to it. 

‘And so it’s confusing to know what’s really going on. I’m a little bit on the fence, but I have been respectful.’

'I've had therapy for suicide': The sportsman also accused his ex-wife Katie Price of 'trolling' following the breakdown of their 11-month marriage in 2011 (pictured in 2010)

‘I’ve had therapy for suicide’: The sportsman also accused his ex-wife Katie Price of ‘trolling’ following the breakdown of their 11-month marriage in 2011 (pictured in 2010)

In England, you must wear a face covering in a number of indoor settings, including public transport, supermarkets and shopping centres. 

As of last September, you can be fined £200 on a first offence, doubling further on each repeat offence to a maximum of £6,400 if you get caught not wearing a face mask for a sixth time.

Despite his comments, the media personality believed he contracted the virus last year, but credits his recovery to optimism.

The former Hollyoaks star said: ‘I 100 percent have had it right at the beginning. I felt s****y for days. I had the poos and an achy body, all that stuff. And I didn’t do anything. 

‘I just recovered, rested and did what you thought you would normally do when you feel poorly. I ate well. Listen, I’ve done all my partying. 

‘I’m not anti a party, but I’m 45 years young and I want to live another good 45 years, hopefully. So I look after myself. So I just was, it’s a positive mindset.’

Elsewhere in the interview, the ex-cage fighter touched on the trolling he’s received while in the public eye, which he claims is ‘by the hands of’ former glamour model Katie, 42, whom he was married to from February 2010 until March 2012. 

The personal trainer said: ‘For a lot years I hated the word celebrity because, I don’t know about you Bobby, but it causes you to get so many so much negativity… I’ve been horrendously trolled, I mean, viciously. 

‘I mean, mine specifically by the hands of my ex-wife, which is even crazier, who runs an anti-trolling society. And what she would do is she’d get all of her fans to say the most horrific, disgusting things. 

‘And there’s that for a while when you’re not strong enough and mature enough can really affect you. I mean, I’ve had therapy for suicide. 

‘I’ve had so much therapy because the horrible, just disgusting things, sticks and stones may break your bones, but names will never hurt you. How they do.’ 

In March 2020, the businesswoman was ordered to hand over £175,000 for revealing a sexually explicit tape of Alex which ‘destroyed his life.’  

His side: In March 2020, the businesswoman was ordered to hand over £175,000 for revealing a sexually explicit tape of Alex which 'destroyed his life' (pictured in 2009)

His side: In March 2020, the businesswoman was ordered to hand over £175,000 for revealing a sexually explicit tape of Alex which ‘destroyed his life’ (pictured in 2009)

During their relationship, Katie obtained video and pictures of him performing a sexual act and later disclosed them to friends. 

Judge Mr Justice Warby branded her behaviour ‘persistent, flagrant, arrogant, high-handed and inexcusable’ and she was told to pay £25,000 in damages and £150,000 in costs.

Alex had alleged breach of confidence, misuse of private information and breach of contract. 

The reality TV star explained how the abuse affected his career as he added: ‘If it’s affecting you getting work. This is how I saw it. This is why I took action against my ex-wife. 

New love: The former glamour model, 42, is now dating car dealer Carl Woods, 31

New love: The former glamour model, 42, is now dating car dealer Carl Woods, 31

‘Because she was saying the most disgusting things about me. And it was affecting me working continually because people were laughing at me. I am thick-skinned. I can have a laugh. I’m like, I’m an ex-paratrooper nothing is sacred. 

‘I don’t have a racist bone in my body, but you would make the joke out your best mate who just died. You know, and that might sound sick, but it’s kind of a coping mechanism psychologically. 

‘But when it’s affecting your ability to work and also children that are around you. I mean my brothers and my nephews and nieces were getting bullied, you know, and that’s not right.’

Alex, who is expecting twins with fiancée Nikki Manashe following her seven-year IVF and fertility battle, also discussed suffering from mental health issues and claimed he exhibits symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

'I suffer from PTSD': Alex, who is expecting twins with fiancée Nikki Manashe following her seven-year IVF and fertility battle, also discussed suffering from mental health issues

‘I suffer from PTSD’: Alex, who is expecting twins with fiancée Nikki Manashe following her seven-year IVF and fertility battle, also discussed suffering from mental health issues

The Hampshire native shared: ‘I’ve just been diagnosed with something. And it explains a lot. I’m not going to say what it is. 

‘I am a scaredy-cat and although I’ve had over 300 fights, I’ve mixed with soldiers, terrorists, I’ve been in the most scary situations, I put on another personality so I can cope with that. 

‘So I’m tough, but really deep down, there’s a scared little boy who’s crying, screaming, not wanting to be there. I’ve always felt different. I’ve always felt like I wanted to fit in. But when I got in there, I didn’t fit in. And now I understand why. 

‘And I’ve taken all these guises… Just a scared little boy, looking for love. There’s one more thing coming up, court case. After that, I never want to talk about this person ever again in my life.

‘I suffer from PTSD. I had an argument with my Mrs this morning about it. She said, ”You’ve not been diagnosed.” But I mean, I was literally reliving a situation. It was so bad. And she said, ”What what’s going on?” And I couldn’t get back. 

‘And I was, ”Oh yeah, sorry”. But sometimes, obviously, I need a bit of therapy and obviously, it’s kind of, I’m not trying to do a ”Poor me. Poor Alex, get the violins out.”’

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events.

People with PTSD often suffer nightmares and flashbacks to the traumatic event and can experience insomnia and an inability to concentrate. 

For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch. See www.samaritans.org for details. 

What is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? 

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events.

People with PTSD often suffer nightmares and flashbacks to the traumatic event and can experience insomnia and an inability to concentrate.    

Symptoms are often severe enough to have a serious impact on the person’s day-to-day life, and can emerge straight after the traumatic event or years later. 

PTSD is thought to affect about one in every three people who have a traumatic experience, and was first documented in the First World War in soldiers with shell shock.

People who are worried they have PTSD should visit their GP, who could recommend a course of psychotherapy or anti-depressants, the NHS say. 

Combat Stress operate a 24-hour helpline for veterans, which can be reached on 0800 138 1619.